Song Castle

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Pub Date 12 Apr 2018 | Archive Date 11 May 2018

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Description

In a land rocked by abject poverty and senseless violence, one man desires to be remembered for something truly remarkable… Wales, 1176: in a rain-drenched outpost of Christendom, a great lord is throwing a party in his newly-built fortress, the like of which has never been seen before. It will be a contest of song, of poetry and of music: open to all comers. And now all are coming. The generous rewards that victory promises attract a strange assortment of individuals from across the known world – some famous, some frightening - including an enigmatic late entrant newly-arrived from Persia, who claims to have written the most beautiful words ever committed to parchment but has something more sinister to hide. Attempting to hold their own against such supreme talent are hopeful young songster Avery and his travelling companion Dog, a cantankerous but talented musician. These clashing personalities are pitched on collision course in the castle of a man whose motives run far deeper than that of benevolent host. But the contest can only take place if the contestants arrive - which, on the perilous roads of Wales, is far from certain... Luke Waterson’s compelling novel relates the gripping tale of the charismatic players and intrigues of the very first Eisteddfod, still Europe’s largest competitive festival of poetry and music to this day.

In a land rocked by abject poverty and senseless violence, one man desires to be remembered for something truly remarkable… Wales, 1176: in a rain-drenched outpost of Christendom, a great lord is...


A Note From the Publisher

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL8UGOyMb4Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL8UGOyMb4Q


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781911129882
PRICE £8.99 (GBP)
PAGES 400

Average rating from 5 members


Featured Reviews

Loved this novel! The author is an established travel writer and it shows in his wonderful descriptions of the Welsh landscape.
It is 1176 and a great Lord in Wales is throwing a party in his newly built fortress. To add to the event he decides to hold a contest of poetry, song and music - open to all. Thus begins the idea of the first Eisteddford now held annually in Wales.
The book had the feel of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' about it and there are a selection of wonderfully drawn characters. We begin with young Avery a hopeful who soon links in with his travelling companion Dog, a cantankerous but talented musician as they traverse the often dangerous tracks to Wales. The host of the Festival - Rhys ap Gruffyd the Lord of Deheubarth has his work cut out getting ready for the event especially when it attracts entrants from other countries. There is the famous Chretien de Troyes, a writer from the Court of Champagne searching for inspiration for his latest epic and many other Bards looking for tales way ahead of our dear Will Shakespeare.Of course there is a drunken Irishman! Niall O'Maolconaire who has a temper to match his hard drinking!
Readers may struggle with the Welsh names and an insight into the history of the time might help (with Henry Plantagenet the current King of England) and the many disputes across the border. Maps help (although small in the ebook version) to highlight the area and I loved the differing titles for each section (chapters) such as "A Slap of Strong Wind In The Face". Often the story includes real people such as Bernart de Ventadorn quite the Casanova of his time and many characters are skilful musicians teaching the reader a variety of ancient type of instrument beyond the classic harp - ie crwth and pibgorn.
Young Avery has 'left' the church in York and hopes, with his great voice to impress in the contest..
If you have a love for history and for Wales this is just the book for you. I loved it because I learnt so much but the author had not overwhelmed the plot with facts and research spoiling the narrative and flow.

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